WEEK OF JUNE 12, 2017
JOINT COMMITTEE ON FINANCE BUDGET DELIBERATIONS
 
The Joint Committee on Finance (JCF) did not meet last week. The two houses are at odds over K-12 funding  - tied to overall property tax relief -  over the next biennium. The Senate agrees with the Governor's proposal to provide an additional $649 million in funding to K-12 education over the biennium. The Assembly proposes to reduce that amount by $70 million and "provide more money to the classroom."

See the Assembly proposal here.

The Joint Committee on Finance has not yet scheduled a meeting for this week on the budget. There is talk that the Senate Finance Committee may meet on Tuesday. The JCF is planning to meet on Thursday to take up the administration's self-insurance plan.

See the request from the Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) here.

The final sets of papers from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau have been released - transportation and general fund taxes. Issue areas left for the JCF to take up impacting counties include:
  • Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
  • Corrections - Community Corrections
  • Corrections - Juvenile Corrections
  • Local Government Property Insurance Fund
  • Natural Resources - Environmental Quality
  • Transportation
See the Legislative Fiscal Bureau papers on these issues here.  
BADGER CARE WAIVER

On Wednesday, June 7, the Department of Health Services submitted its application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking a "BadgerCare Reform Demonstrative Waiver."

The core changes in the waiver request include:
  • Establishing monthly premiums and copayments for emergency department visits.
  • Implementing a work requirement that members work or participate in job skills training at least 80 hours every month.
  • Limiting benefits to 48 months, unless a member meets a work requirement.
  • Lowering premiums for those who make healthy choices.
  • Requiring drug screening.
WISCONSIN'S PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX REPEAL GAINING MOMENTUM

Legislative efforts to repeal Wisconsin's personal property tax are gaining momentum in the Wisconsin State Legislature. 

In addition to stand-alone legislation moving its way through the committee process in both the Assembly and Senate ( Assembly Bill 277/ Senate Bill 218), legislators are working to include personal property tax repeal in the 2017-19 state budget.

View the Action Alert sent by WCA to county officials on personal property tax repeal here.    
TUNE IN ON MONDAYS FOR WEEKLY BUDGET WEBINARS

You can stay up-to-date on the JCF's budget actions affecting county government by participating in WCA's weekly budget webinars. Budget webinars will be held each Monday at 9:00 a.m.

The next weekly budget webinar will be held on Monday, June 19, 2017.

How to Sign Up
To join this FREE webinar, visit https://wicounties.adobeconnect.com/budget/ each Monday morning. This link will remain active throughout the budget process.  
ASSEMBLY AND SENATE FLOOR SESSIONS

The Wisconsin State Assembly announced that it will be in regular session on June 14 and June 21.

The Senate announced it will also be in session on June 14.

Assembly Calendar - Wednesday, June 14, 1:00 p.m.

 Assembly Bill 42/ Senate Bill 15 - various changes regarding administrative rules and rule-making procedures and making an appropriation. WCA is monitoring this bill.
Assembly Bill 169 - the municipal treasurer's bond for tax distribution. WCA supports this bill.
Assembly Bill 229 - investment of surplus money by local units of government. WCA supports this bill.
Assembly Bill 253 - procedures related to a sale of foreclosed property by a sheriff or referee. WCA supports this bill.
Senate Bill 79 - authorizing county clerks and clerks of court to copy certified birth certificates for certain purposes. WCA supports this bill.
Senate Bill 89 - tax administration changes, the police and fire protection fee, defining restaurant for purposes of alcohol beverage regulation, lottery ticket couriers, background investigations of persons associated with the lottery, and providing a criminal penalty. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Senate Calendar - Wednesday, June 14, 11:00 a.m.
Special Session Assembly Bill 3 - immunity from revocation of probation, parole, or extended supervision for certain controlled substance offenses. WCA is monitoring this bill.
Special Session Assembly Bill 5 - prevention and control of, emergency and involuntary commitment for, and treatment programs and services for drug dependence.  WCA is monitoring this bill.
Senate Bill 123 - the municipal treasurer's bond for tax distribution. WCA supports this bill.
Senate Bill 131 - identification and location information assigned to documents filed or recorded in the county register of deeds offices and registration of farm names by recording in the register of deeds office. WCA supports this bill.
Senate Bill 160 - sales by the state or a political subdivision to employees. WCA is monitoring this bill.
Senate Bill 198 - weight limit exceptions for vehicles equipped with idle reduction technology or natural gas fuel systems. WCA opposes this bill.
COMMITTEE HEARINGS FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 12, 2017

Note: The Committee hearings and bills listed below reflect action on legislation impacting county government.  For a complete listing of weekly hearings, please visit here .

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Assembly Committee on Ways and Means, 10:00 a.m.
Assembly Bill 340 - a sales and use tax exemption for products sold in connection with real property construction activities. WCA opposes this bill.

Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety and Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, 9:30 a.m.
Senate Joint Resolution 53 - the rights of crime victims. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
For a listing of all bills impacting county government and WCA's positions on those bills, please visit the WCA website. 
UPCOMING WCA MEETINGS/EVENTS
  • July 13 - County Organization and Personnel Steering Committee
  • July 14 - Judicial and Public Safety Steering Committee
  • July 14 - Health and Human Services Steering Committee
  • July 14 - Taxation and Finance Steering Committee
  • July 17 - Agriculture, Environment, and Land Use Steering Committee
  • July 17 - Transportation and Public Works Steering Committee
  See a complete listing of upcoming WCA meetings here.
HOW CAN YOU FOLLOW THE SESSION WITH US?

As a member-benefit, the Wisconsin Counties Association offers access to The Wheeler Report, WisPolitics, and WisconsinEye.

If you would like to subscribe to any one of these news services, please contact Amy Dias, Office Manager at [email protected] or at 866.404.2700.
QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions about anything happening at the state level, please feel free to contact any member of the WCA Government Affairs Team:

Kyle Christianson, Director of Government Affairs
608.663.7188
[email protected]

Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf, Deputy Director of Government Affairs
608.663.7188
[email protected]

Dan Bahr, Government Affairs Associate
608.663.7188
[email protected]

Marcie Rainbolt, Government Affairs Associate
608.663.7188
[email protected]

Chelsea Fibert, Government Affairs Assistant
608.663.7188